Handshake Boycott Ended? India & Pakistan Hockey Teams Mingle In Sultan Of Johor Cup Clash

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 19:21 IST

India and Pakistan’s Under-21 hockey teams exchanged handshakes at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, defying recent sporting tensions between the two nations.

India and Pakistan’s Under-21 hockey teams exchanged handshakes at the Sultan of Johor Cup

India and Pakistan’s Under-21 hockey players exchanged high-fives and handshakes before their Sultan of Johor Cup match in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Tuesday, October 14.

After the national anthems of both countries were played at the stadium, the teams greeted each other despite recent sporting tensions between the two nations.

Following ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the Indian cricket team did not shake hands with Pakistani players during their recent Asia Cup matches, including the final, which led to Pakistan lodging a protest with the Asian Cricket Council and the ICC.

The Indian women’s cricket team too did not shake hands with the Pakistani counterpart when the two sides met in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Colombo.

In football too, Pakistan U-17 had also made headlines for their “tea-sipping" celebration that turned bittersweet after India edged them out 3-2 in a thrilling SAFF U-17 Championship clash in Colombo.

Pakistan did not send its team to India for the men’s Asia Cup in August in Rajgir, Bihar, with Bangladesh replacing them.

The Indian junior men’s hockey team are unbeaten at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2025, securing a convincing 4-2 victory over New Zealand after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Great Britain in their opening fixture.

‘Don’t Shake Hands’?

A senior PHF official had earlier stated that the players have been instructed to be mentally prepared for the possibility that the Indian team will not engage in handshakes.

“The players have been told that if the Indian players don’t shake hands before or after the match just ignore the gesture and move on. They have also been told to avoid any emotional tussles or signs during the game," the official had said.

The official emphasised that the players have been instructed to concentrate solely on their matches.

Pakistan lost their second match in the tournament to Great Britain after starting their campaign with a resounding 7-1 victory over hosts Malaysia.

More to follow…

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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